….urges the National Assembly to tread cautiously
By Monday OISE
BENIN CITY- Ogbakha-Edo Indigenous People Welfare Foundation has rejected the controversial Bill seeking to install Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as permanent co-chairmen of Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers
The Chairman of the Ogbakha-Edo Indigenous People Welfare Foundation,Prof Sam Guobadia made the group’s stand known in a press statement signed by him and the General Secretary, Hon Dr Andrew Osaretin , Izekor which was read to the journalists
He said the Ogbakha-Edo is speaking on behalf of the revered and culturally conscious people of Benin and express in the strongest terms their deep-seated disapproval and profound indignation at the widely circulated reports of a proposed bill before the National Assembly adding that according to credible sources , the bill seeks to constitutionally enshrine the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as the permanent co-chairmen of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers
He noted that this ill-conceived and historically unjustifiable proposal is not only logically flawed but also provocative,divisive and culturally offensive adding that it represents a blatant attempt to institutionalize supremacy where none exists, to exploit past protocols of convenience wherein certain decisions are made and certain actions taken for the sake of political expediency
“The Benin people , anchored in centuries of cultural pride and historical sovereignty, vehemently reject any move that seeks to subordinate the imperial and highly revered throne of the Oba of Benin to any other traditional or religious authority under the guise of national unity or representational balance” he said
“While the Oba of Benin is currently categorized among the highest-ranking traditional rulers in Nigeria, it is absolutely unacceptable, indeed an affront to justice and history to diminish his stature through such unwarranted and biased constitutional manipulation
Continuing the chairman of the Ogbakha-Edo said it is very obvious that in arriving at the conclusion that only Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto should be permanent co-chairmen, ostensibly to represent the geopolitical north and south regions , historical, territorial and cultural pedigree in determining leadership within the Council of Traditional Rulers, were not taken into account pointing out that the bill therefore, appears to be politically motivated assault on the delicate balance and mutual respect that currently define inter- traditional relations in Nigeria , as it threatens to upend centuries of coexistence, fuel regional discontent and reignite historical grievances
He subsequently said the Benin people categorically declare that , they reject in totality, any attempt to undermine or deminish the authority of the Oba of Benin, they find it highly inappropriate to perpetually subjugate the Oba of Benin by way of an illogical constitutional enactment
The Ogbakha-Edo accordingly demand the immediate withdrawal of the proposed bill in its entirety or make the position non-permanent and rotational amongst the first class traditional rulers
The Ogbakha-Edo then urged the National Assembly to tread cautiously and not allow political manoeuvring to destroy the dignity, balance and integrity of Nigeria’s traditional institutions, the Benin people remain steadfast in defending their glorious heritage and will continue to resist act that seeks to erase or marginalize their history
The controversial bill is sponsored by Senator Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau South), has passed its second reading as of March 2025 and is now under consideration by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service.
